In the Midwest.

Abuser Left With Patients

July 01, 1996|By Jane Hirt.

CHESTER, ILLINOIS — While under investigation last year for beating a handcuffed patient, a worker at the Chester Mental Health Center remained in charge of other patients, six of whom said he beat them.

Illinois Inspector General Pat Curtis told the Belleville News-Democrat on Friday that the state ignored a recommendation by her office that Robert Simmons be removed from working directly with patients during that period.

Simmons, formerly of Belleville, eventually was fired for the 1994 beating after a 10-month investigation substantiated the charge.

State investigators eventually ruled the six other complaints against Simmons were groundless, but Curtis said each of the complaints was marred by failure of the hospital's staff to follow proper investigative procedures.

Simmons was placed on paid administrative leave in November and fired in February in connection with the first complaint.